Rob Krimmel Named SFU's 21st Head Men's Basketball Coach

LORETTO, Pa. (April 19, 2012) – Saint Francis University President Rev. Gabriel J. Zeis, T.O.R. named Rob Krimmel the 21st head men’s basketball coach in school history on Thursday.

LORETTO, Pa. (April 19, 2012) – Saint Francis University President Rev. Gabriel J. Zeis, T.O.R. named Rob Krimmel the 21st head men’s basketball coach in school history on Thursday.

The move follows a series of enhancements that the University has made in recent years to prioritize the program’s competitiveness in the Northeast Conference. Specifically, the additions of a new locker room, a state-of-the-art weight room and a recently-completed basketball office suite have added to the program’s ability to attract student-athletes that embody the program’s commitment to faith, academics, values and winning basketball.

“Rob Krimmel is the right man to lead our men’s basketball program,” said Rev. Zeis. “His career as both a coach and a student-athlete at Saint Francis demonstrates a long-standing commitment to his faith and to academic excellence, concern for student-athlete well being, as well as strong character and moral values, validate my belief that he will develop student-athletes who will serve as leaders on and off the court.”

“Rob’s appointment is the next step in elevating our program in the Northeast Conference and raising the level of excitement surrounding Red Flash basketball among our alumni and fans. I fully believe that our university community will support Rob in his new position as he works to re-establish a culture of winning basketball at Saint Francis.”

Krimmel will enter his 13th season as a member of the Red Flash coaching staff in 2012-13, and his first as head coach. A tremendous 3-point threat and a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America selection as a four-year Red Flash player, Krimmel enters his 16th season overall on the Loretto campus.

Krimmel has coached five players to lead the Northeast Conference in 3-point field goal percentage in his career, including 2009 graduates Marquis Ford and Grant Surprenant. Under Krimmel’s guidance, Darshan Luckey was a three-time all-Northeast Conference selection and Rookie of the Year. Luckey, Rahsaan Benton and Devin Sweetney became 1,000-point scorers, and former point guard Garrett Farha led the NEC in assists, 3-point field goal percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio twice. Sweetney, who was an All-Northeast Conference First Team honoree in 2009-10, and Ford both earned NEC All-Rookie Team selections during their freshman seasons at SFU, under Krimmel’s tutelage.

“I am humbled and honored to be named head coach at Saint Francis, an institution that has meant so much to myself and my family,” Krimmel said. “I look forward to leading this team to new heights and helping to develop student-athletes of which our alumni as well as the University and local communities can be proud. I am eternally grateful to Father Gabe, Dr. [Frank] Montecalvo and my father [Director of Athletics Bob Krimmel] for this tremendous opportunity.”

A three-year starter and two-time team co-captain for the Red Flash, Krimmel led the NEC in 3-point field goal percentage (43.5) as a senior in 1999-2000, and is fifth on the school’s all-time list with a 39.8 percent 3-point shooting accuracy.

In addition to his on-court accomplishments, Krimmel received numerous awards as a student leader. He was the first-ever recipient of the Dr. Philip Benham Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given to Saint Francis student-athletes who exhibit outstanding academic and athletic excellence. He attended the NCAA Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., received a prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship and was the NEC Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2000. He also received the University’s Mr. Frankie Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding male student in the senior class.

Krimmel is well known in the community for his service. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Management Team for the past 10 years, while also participating in Saint Francis University Leadership Development and NCAA Diversity Training, as well as serving on the DiSepio Asthma Basketball Camp Committee.

Krimmel received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and History with a Pre-Law Concentration from Saint Francis in 2000. He then earned his Masters of Education-Leadership from SFU in 2003.

Rob and his wife, Aileen, reside in Duncansville with their two young sons, Alex James and Thomas. Aileen also graduated from Saint Francis with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a Masters in Physical Therapy. She works as a Physical Therapist at Drayer Physical Therapy Institute in Altoona.